Puncturing machine



March 29,1927.

C.`S. NELSON :PUNGTURING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Char/es IVe/:Jn

@um au March 29, 1927. v 1,622,538

C- S. NELSON PUNCTURIN- MACHINE Filed NOV. 23, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @mentor har/es S. Nelson @www 2 1v F. March 9 92( c. s. NELSON PUNCTURING MACHINE Filed Nov. 23, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNI-TED `STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLSS. NELSOIL'OF SANDPONT, IDAHO,.A.SSGNOR OF ONE-,HALF TO` MALVERNL.

BRUCE, OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO.

PUNCTURING MACHINE.

The present invention relates to improvements in puncturing machines which Whlle especially designed for use in puncturing telegraph and telephone poles is also to be used with other work of similar nature.' In the present exemplitication ot'the machine the apparatus is 4adapted to puncture the exterior surface of a certain port-ion of a pole preparatory toa hot liquid bath ot creosote or other preservative to beappiied thereto l:for the,` prevention of decay.` A predetermined area of the pole is pierced or punctured to an approximate 'depth' ot' one-halt to tinte-quarters ot' an inch, and the tools or spikes employed tor this purpose are arranged so that they `will enter the wood in such manner as not to break the fibers or grain of the wood. By this arrangement ot' the tools, although the' pole is pierced, the penetration is with the grain of the wood and its structure is therefore not materially weakened by the treatment oit the machine.

The apparatus of my invention involves the use of means whereby the pole may be adjusted longitudinally withl relation tothe puncturing tool, and vertically "adjustable means are provided for shifting the weight of the pole preparatorytoturning or partially rotating the pole as the werkprogresses. A power-operated mechanisin is employed for this rotary feed of theV Work or pole and the latter is Aintermittently turned upon its longitudinal axis when the pole is elevated and its weight shifted. Means are also employed for retaining the elevated pole against lateral displacement` asit is turned.

ln co-operation with the "feed mechanism I utilize a reciprocatingl carriage movable along the longitudinal axis ot the pole and carrying a vertically reciprocable tool head and rotary tool for puncturing the pole. The rotary tool travels longitudinally yof the pole and punctures the latter on the outstroke or working stroke ot the carriage and means are employed for rendering inoperative the vertically reciprocable tool head .and tool on the instroke or idle stroke ot' the carriage.

At. the end of the working stroke of the carriage and its tool the pole is elevated and then turned to present a new face for act-ion thereon by the puncturing tool on its next outward or `working stroke. In carrying out these opera-tions the invention conh sists in certain novel combinationsl and:l arrangements ot parts aiding in thesmooth'- working, reliable, and efficient performanceof the functions of the machine.-

In the accompanying drawings I I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of myA invention wherein the 'parts are combined and arranged in `accordance Withone mode Iv have thus far devisedV for the lpractical application of the principles ot my invention."

Figure l is a' view in side elevation otra machine embodying my invention' in operative position to puncture a pole. Figure 2 is a transverse detail sectional view at line 2-2 ot-Figure-l showing the means `torelevating and `partially turning the pole.

Figure 3 is an end `elevation of the machine as seen from the right'in Figure l.

Figure Llis an enlarged vertical sectional detail view of the rotary puncturing tool, its head and carriage and pressure connections or springs Figure 5 is a top plan view ofthe'reciprocating carriage showing its operating mech# anism, supports, and the puncturing tool.-

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the reciprocating carriage and'puncturing tool, together with the tracks for the carriage.-

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view at the rear end oit the carriage showing the shifting mechanism for the carriage.V

Figure 8 is a detailed view in side elevation, broken away for convenience of illus` tration, showing' the rotary tool.

The main frame 1 is providedwith apair of spaced horizontal timbers or rails 2, 2, having spaced concave rollers 3, journaledr in bearings 4 and disposed transversely `ofy the trameyand these concave'rollers which form a supporting cradle l'tor the pole P maybe turned simultaneously `by means "of a power operated sprocket Vchain `passing over sprocket wheels as 5 on the ends ofthe roller shafts. The pole P is conveyed toits cradle in suitable manner and may belongitudinally adjusted to bring the desired area into the Zone of operation of theI puncturing tools for puncturing the predetermined surface of the pole as it rests in its cradle.

The pole normally rests upon its cradle or concave rollers 3 during the working strokeV of the puneturing tool, but it is elevated, as in Figures 2 and 3, after each working stroke, in order that its weight may be shifted from the transversely disposed supporting rollers to longitudinally disposed rollers, and then the pole is partially turned during the idle stroke of the puncturing machine or tool. In this manner the pole is partially turned to successively present fresh faces to the puncturing tool. For this purpose I utilize pairs of spaced rollers 6, which as best seen in Figure 2 are disposed in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the pole, and these rollers may be elevated to receive the weight of the pole from the transverse cradle. These spaced pairs of rollers are disposed one at each side of the center of the pole and their shafts 7 are journaled in brackets 8. Each bracket has a lower threaded lug 9 through which is passed an oppositely threaded screw bar 10 having a hand wheel 11. These transverse screw bars are journale-d in bearings of cross bars 12 supported on the main frame or timbers 2, and it will be apparent that by turning the hand wheels the brackets 8 and ltheir pairs of rollers G may be moved laterally with relation to the pole. 7When the rollers G of a pair are drawn together by action of the handle wheel and screw bar the rollers frictionally engage under the pole at opposite sides of its center or longitudinal airis to elevate the pole from the supporting concave rollers 3. When the brackets and pairs of rollers carried thereby are moved outwardly or separated, the pole may be lowered to its cradle.

For turning the pole after it has been elcvated I employ mechanism, operated from the overhead puncturing mechanism7 including a pull or draw chain 13, having an anchoring hook 14 driven into the pole, and wrapped once around the pole at the start of the puncturing operation. The chain 13 is passed around and under the pole and then out to one side of the pole where it passes over a pulley or sprocket wheel on the shaft 1G. with the free end of the chain dangling. A control lever 18 and friction brake band or clutch band 14 are used in connection with the friction pulley 15 on the shaft as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

The shaft is journaled at 17 at the outer side of one of the sills 2 of the main frame and is power operated, intermittently, as will be described.

To retain the pole against lateral displacement as it is partially turned or rotated while in elevated position I use a retaining chain 1S which is passed around the pole adjacent to the turning chain 13, with its ends joined by a hook 19, and also passed around a guide sprocket wheel 20 on the shaft 16.

The puneturing mechanism is located above the pole and the rotary puncturing tool operates on the top face of the pole while it is supported in horizontal position. For the support of the puncturing mechanism I utilize an upright frame 21 at one end of the machine which frame is provided with a pair of spaced, parallel, horizontal beams 22 projecting therefrom over the pole. An electric Vmotor 23 is supported in the upper portion of the upright frame with its shaft 24E disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the pole. rlfhe motor shaft transmits motion to an upper gear shaft or countershaft 25 through the gear couple 26, and this gear shaft transmits rotary inotion to the driving or operating shaft 27 through another gear couple 28, the latter shaft extending transversely of the two beams 22 and located above the beams.

The shaft 27 is instrumental in the intermittent turning operation of the pole and for this purpose is provided with an eccentric 3() which is connected by a downwardly extending link 31 toa ratchet mechanism 32 on the shaft 1() which is designed to operate for turning the shaft 16 anti-clockwise and said shaft through the chain 13 turns the pole clockwise.

One end of the driving shaft 27 is provided with a crank wheel 33 and the pitman 34- pivoted thereon is pivotally conne ted to the reciprocating carriage 35 in order that the rotary motion of the shaft may be converted into reciprocating motion of the carriage. The carriage is provided with four flanged wheels 36 which travel back and forth over the tracks 37 on the beams (ln the working stroke of the puncturing mechanism the carriage moves outwardly or to the left in Figure l and on the in stroke or idle stroke of the puncturing mechanism the carriage moves to the right in Figure l. lIhe rotary tool carried by the carriage rolls in a straight line over the pole on its working stroke to puncture the pole and the toolv is elevated from contact with the pole on its idle or instroke.

The rotary tool as seen in Figures Ll and 8 is made up of a suitable number of circular disks 238, spaced apart but rigidly secured together by means of exterior retaining rings 3S) and bolts passed through the rings and disks. Three sets of spikes as l() are arranged at the periphery of the disks forming the rotary tool-carrier and these spikes radiate from the carrier and are designed to penetrate the wood as the carrier rotates or revolves along the pole. Each spike is pivoted as at 4:1 between a pair of adjoining disks and a leaf spring` 42 is connected at the inner end of each spike. Movement of the spikes is limited by stop pins t3 carried transversely of the tool carrier and the springs which are anchored at Ll-l within the carrier permit a pivotal movement of the 'withdrawn therefrom.

ing the wood liber as the tool or spike is The spikes enter and are wlthdrawn from the 'wood in line `-with the grain thereof 'and therefore do not ull tear or cutthe'iiber of thewood which otherwise would be weakened by the incisions of the spikes.

' lEach of the disks of the tool carrier is providedwith central hubs 45 journaled on the shaft' 46 which is supported in the yoke 47 bolted at'the lower end of a rack bar 48. i 'This rack bar is vertically movable Afor adjustment in a vertically slidable tool head or housing 49, and a hand wheel 50, its shaft 5l and rack wheel 52 Vsupported on the tool head may be used to vertically adjust the rack barand` tool with. relation to the slidable or vertically reciprocable tool head` or housing `'49. l ld/*hen the prop-er adjustment ofthe rack bar 1s secured a clamp nut 53 1s used to clamp4 and hold the rack bar rigid with" the vvertically reciprocable tool head in order that tool head and carrier are lowered during a` working stroke of the rotary tool and "elevated during the idle stroke of the rotary tool. The rotary tool is heldin contact with the pole during a working stroke by pressure from apair of springs 54 which bear upon a cross head carried by and rigid with the vertically reciproc'able tool head or houisng 49. The springs are interposed between the cross head and flanged brackets 56 carried at the top of a frame or `flanged support 57 rigid with the carriage. The tension of the Vsprings and the pressure on the cross head .andtoolv head' may be varied to suit different conditions by turning ythe tension or adjusting bolts 58 of the brackets 56, which bolts operatively engage the .upper ends of the springs.

The tool head and rotary tool are pressed down during a working stroke and elevated against tension of the springs by mechanism actuated by the movement of the carriage during the return or idle stroke of the rotary tool and carriage, the tool head sliding in a central tubular guide 35 of the carriage as best seen in Figure 4.

At the opposite sides of the carriage or of the central tubular guide or casing 35 are disposed two horizontal lift bars 59 which are adapted to engage under and co-act with side lugs 60, bolted one at each side of the tool head and located above the central tubular guide of the carriage. These angularl lugs project through side slots Gl in the frame 57 of the carriage, and of course guide the movement of the tool head as it is lifted by the action of the lift bars 59 and lowered when these bars are lowered to permit such carri-age contact witha crank arms are crossbars or rods 64 and 65- 'at the `respective front and rearends of the carriage. 1

A spring 6G havingone end attachedI to the frame 57 of the carriage and its other end connected lto the Afront cross bar G-ltends to urge Ithe lift bars up`-` and holdthem `in engagement under `the lugs 60 ofthe tool head.

it the front end-of the track 37 a resilient bumper is ing a rigid frame 67 secured to the tracks in which are supported a pair of spaced bolts G8 and cross bar 69,with springs 70 interposed between the cross bar or bumper bar and the frame 67. Thus it will be-seen lthat asV the lifting frame `(compri-sing the lift bars and crank arms as well-asV the cross rods) contacts with the bumper plate or bar 69, a cushionedmovement is `given to the bumper plate and the carriage isstopped and cushioned at the outer end of'itsworking stroke. This impact of the *lifting frame with the resiliently cushioned vbumper also causes the lift bars tovmove backward with relation to the carriage, s ringing the crank arms on their axles'and -thus causing the lift bars to swing upwardly. lifting the tool head through 4its lugs 60. The spring G6 also aidsl in this `lifting movement and tends to uphold the'lifting-bars.

A pair of guard-railsfl are supported above the track rails 37 under which the grooved rollers of `the carriagel pass at Ithe end of the workinglstroke of the carri-age which 4aid in holding lifting movement is imparted vto the tool head and rotary tool.

At the end of the idle or return stroke-of the carriage the rear crank arms 62 of the pair Vof-stops 72 located in the path of movement of the carriage and fixed to the tracks 37. The contact with these stops of the crank arms throws the lifting frame forward and downwardly to release the uplifted tool head and rotary tools, and the two pressure springs 54 return the rotary tool to operative position for the next working stroke, which occurs after the pole has been partially turned beneath the tool.

At the forward end of the carriage a stop or abutment 72 is provided for the bar 64 to limit the rearwardly swinging movement of the lifting frame, and at the rear of the carriage a toggle locking device is carried to hold the lifting frame. in elevated position.

This locking device comprises a pair of pivoted links forming a toggle 73 having one end anchored and pivoted at 74 on the carriage and its free end is pivoted at 75 to provided for thecarriage comprisf the carriage as the an arm 7 6 of the crank arm 62. A guide rod or stein 77 is pivoted at the point 74 and has a loose sliding connection at 78 with the crank arm. As seen in Figure 7 when the littbars or the lifting trame are lowered the toggle is contracted and when the lift frame is elevated the toggle is extended as indicated by dotted lines to vertical position with the links ot the toggle alined to lock the li'ltinfr trame in elevated position.

`lVlien the rear crank arms encounter the abutments 7 2 the toggle connection is opened to permit descent ot the lifting bars 59.

The pole is thus intermittently given a partial rotation atter each working stroke et the rotary puncturing mechanism and the mechanism successively forms three parallel rows (of predetermined length) of incisions in the top face of the pole for the purpose described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In a pole puncturing machine the com bination with a supporting cradle, ot pairs of spaced longitudinally disposed elevating rollers and means for oppositely reciprocating said rollers, means itor partially turning the elevated pole when supported on said rollers, and means tor restraining the pole against lateral displacement.

Q. ln a pole puncturing machine the combination with a supporting cradle, ot means tor lifting and supporting the pole from said cradle, a turning chain operatively attached to the pole, means tor drawing said chain to partially turn the pole, a retaining chain encircling the pole and a guide roller tor said retaining chain.

3. In a pole puncturing` machine the combination with a track, a reciprocating car riage and operating means therefor, oit a vertically rcciprocable tool head, pressure springs interposed between said head and carriage for normally holding the head in lowered position, a rotary tool carried by said head, actuating means on the carriage or elevating said tool head during an idle stroke of the carriage, and tappet devices for operating said actuating means.

al. The combination with a reciprocable carriage having a tubular guide easing, of a vertically slidable tool head in said casing, means for adjusting said head in relation to the casing and pressure springs bearing upon said head, and means or elevating said head against the tension of said springs during an idle stroke of the carriage.

rlhe combination with a reciprocable carriage having a guide casing, of a verti` cally slidable tool head and rotary tool carried thereby, pressure springs engaging said head to hold it in normally lowered position, elevating lugs attached to said head, and a tappet-operated pivoted-trame adapted to coact with said lugs vtor elevating the tool head during an idle stroke ot the carriage.

t5. The combination with a reciprocable carriage, its guide casing, a slidable tool head in said casing, and pressure springs for said head, o' a tool bar adjustable in said head, a tool carrier on said bar, and puncturing-tools in said carrier.

7. The combination with a reciprocable carriage, its guide casing, a slidable tool head in said casing, and pressure springs lor said head, ot a rack bar in said head, and a rack device for relatively adjusting said head and bar, a rotary tool carrier supported. on said bar, and radially disposed imncturing tools on said carrier.

S. In a puncturing machine the combination with a tool head ot a tool bar, a rotary carrier supported on said bar comprising spaced rigidly connected disks, a series of spikes pivoted in said carrier, and springs vfor retaining the spikes in operative position,

ln testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES S. NELSON. 

